Ken Schrader Teams Up With NASCAR's Leading On-Track Diversity Initiative

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 28, 2005 -- Drive for Diversity, managed by Access Marketing & Communications, announced today that NASCAR driver Ken Schrader will join the program in 2006 as a team owner.

With more than four decades of racing experience, including several years of team ownership and track promotion, Ken Schrader brings a wealth of knowledge to Drive for Diversity.

"As Drive for Diversity continues to expand, we are very excited to have individuals like Ken Schrader and his racing organization partner with us," said Greg Calhoun, CEO of Access Marketing & Communications. "These relationships help us continue to reach our mutual goal-creating lasting impressions regarding diversity in the motorsports industry."

Ken Schrader said, "Being part of the Drive for Diversity program is good for our race team and for the sport. I think it is important for those of us who have been a part of motorsports for so long to prepare for the future. Finding the talent to drive these trucks and cars is harder than a lot of people think. By expanding the pool of prospective talent to include those who may have been excluded in the past can do nothing but benefit us all."

At one time, Schrader ran in excess of 100 races each year. However in recent years, Schrader has reduced his season to about 90 races, focusing on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. He also drives for his own team in a variety of series including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series the NASCAR Auto Zone Elite Southwest Series and the ARCA Series. Schrader still finds time to stay close to his roots as he also races at various dirt tracks throughout the Midwest each year.

"I don't think it is an exaggeration when I say that racing is all I've ever known," Schrader said. "I've been racing since I could walk, and it is really all I have ever wanted to do. To be honest, I would race everyday if I had the opportunity."

Schrader attended the 2006 Drive for Diversity Motorsports Testing & Evaluation Combine at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. last week. During the 2006 Drive for Diversity Motorsports Testing & Evaluation combine, 19 ethnic and gender minority drivers, selected from a competitive pool of over 300 applicants, competed for the opportunity to participate in the Drive for Diversity program throughout the 2006 season. Driver announcements will be made in the near future.

Schrader will join other new team owners Joe Gibbs, Frank Pedregon and Jeff Spraker. Returning team owners include Bill McAnally and Richard Childress.

Drive for Diversity (Access Marketing & Communications)

Drive for Diversity(SM) is an ethnic and gender minority driver and crew member development program created and managed by Access Marketing & Communications, a Charlotte-based multicultural marketing firm founded in 2003 by The Radiate Group and Calhoun Enterprises. In 2005, the program supported seven drivers in the NDWS and one driver in the NASCAR Grand National Division and 12 crew members in the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Grand National Division. Drive for Diversity(SM) is an initial step in a long-term solution to diversify NASCAR's participant and audience base. For more information, see the program's official website at http://www.drivefordiversity.com/ .